How Much Does a CNA Make in District of Columbia in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in District of Columbia, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · District of Columbia · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in the District of Columbia earns about $22.93 per hour ($47,700 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is 13% above the national figure of $42,260 a year, and it places the District 5th among all 51 states and territories for CNA pay.
About 3,490 CNAs work in the District, a small but well-paid workforce within a compact jurisdiction.
How much does a CNA make in District of Columbia?
CNA pay by career stage in District of Columbia
| Career stage | District of Columbia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $38,900$18.70 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $42,400$20.38 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $47,700$22.93 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $51,850$24.93 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $57,500$27.64 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in District of Columbia
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in District of Columbia · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
CNA pay in the District has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, the typical CNA earned $31,980 a year; by 2025 that figure reached $47,700, a 49% rise worth $15,720 in added yearly pay.
That pace trails the national decade rise of 64%, but the increase has been consistent most years since 2015. For someone starting as a CNA in the District now, the recent trend shows pay moving upward, though nothing guarantees that continues.
CNA salary by city in District of Columbia
CNA pay is fairly uniform across the District, since Washington is the only metro area tracked separately here. The Washington metro area, which covers the full metro region, reports a typical CNA salary of $45,730 a year ($21.99 an hour), with about 25,520 CNAs working there.
Wages in a single, compact jurisdiction like the District tend to move together rather than spread out the way they can across a large state that mixes high-cost cities with rural counties. Higher living costs in the area factor into pay here, the same way they do in any expensive metro area.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs District of Columbia | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $45,730 | $21.99 | -4% | 25,520 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · District of Columbia typical pay $47,700
How District of Columbia compares with nearby states
CNA pay in the District runs higher than in its closest neighbors. Maryland's typical CNA salary is $43,240 a year, about 9% lower than the District's figure, and Virginia's is close behind at $43,200, also about 9% lower. A CNA licensed in the District can often test or transfer into a nearby state, so it helps to know pay runs lower just across the line.
| State | Typical pay | Vs District of Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $47,700 | baseline |
| Maryland | $43,240 | -9% |
| Virginia | $43,200 | -9% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is District of Columbia a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in District of Columbia earn a strong wage by national standards: typical pay is $47,700 a year, 13% above the national figure and the 5th highest of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in District of Columbia, about 5.0 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.4. That makes CNAs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates. Taken together, District of Columbia is one of the better-paying states for CNAs.
Summary
CNA pay in the District of Columbia currently stands at about $47,700 a year ($22.93 an hour), up 49% over the past decade. That places the District among the higher-paying jurisdictions in the country for this role. Anyone considering the field can check the District's registry page for certification requirements, and the city page for Washington for a closer look at local pay.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in District of Columbia?
- A CNA in the District of Columbia typically earns about **$22.93 an hour**, which works out to **$47,700 a year**, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is above the national figure of $42,260 a year for the same role.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in District of Columbia?
- CNAs in the District typically earn **$22.93 an hour**. Entry-level positions start closer to $18.70 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $27.64 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in District of Columbia?
- Entry-level CNA positions in the District typically start around **$18.70 an hour**, or about $38,900 a year. Pay rises with experience: CNAs early in their careers often see pay near $20.38 an hour ($42,400 a year) before reaching the typical rate for the field.
- Which city in District of Columbia pays CNAs the most?
- The District functions as a single metro area for wage purposes, so pay does not vary much by neighborhood. The Washington metro area reports a typical CNA salary of **$45,730 a year** ($21.99 an hour), making it representative of pay across the District as a whole.
- Is CNA pay in District of Columbia higher than the national rate?
- Yes. CNAs in the District typically earn **$47,700 a year**, about **13% more** than the national figure of $42,260. That places the District 5th among all 51 states and territories for CNA pay.